From 1990 to 2000, Republican Mike Rounds was elected to serve South Dakota for five terms in the state Senate. In 1994, he served as Senate Majority Leader, a post he held for six years. Rounds is extremely popular in South Dakota who frequently rated in the Top 5 most popular state executives in the country, until signing the state's controversial abortion ban in early 2006 (a ban that outlaws the procedure even in cases of rape and incest). Rounds' approval rating took a noticeable hit - dropping 14 points in one month (SurveyUSA, March 2006). His approval rating now stands in the mid-60s, good for just outside the Top 10 in the country.
Jack Billion, a physician by trade, has some political experience - representing District 13 in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1993 through 1996. Billion opposes the abortion ban as too restrictive, seeks to make agriculture more profitable in the state, to increase public education funding, and to open governmental meetings and records to the public.
Steven J. Willis is the Constitution State Party Vice Chair, a minister, and a businessman. His campaign platform includes deporting illegal immigrants from the state, fighting the spying provisions of the Patriot Act, fighting to limit pornography, rejecting No Child Left Behind, supporting the no-exception abortion ban, and rejecting gun registration or any other laws that infringe on gun rights.
University of Minnesota
